Lick Resigns Fsu Top Post

The President Said He Didn't Have The Support He Needed After The Flap Over His Application At Michigan State.

August 20, 1993|By Gene Yasuda of The Sentinel Staff

Under scrutiny by Florida's university chancellor and with a special committee questioning his leadership and loyalty, Florida State University President Dale Lick announced his resignation Thursday.

Lick's fall from grace - his two-year tenure is the shortest in school history - came abruptly after he alienated his bosses and university supporters by seeking the presidency of Michigan State University last month.

An interim president is expected to be chosen by the state Board of Regents next week, followed by a nationwide search for a successor.

Appearing somber but composed, Lick entered the president's conference room to the applause of more than a dozen faculty members and administrators before announcing his decision to step down.

''After careful consideration and consultation with the chancellor and discussions with faculty . . . I have elected to resign the presidency of Florida State University,'' said Lick, who read from a prepared statement.

''Obviously, it is personally painful and difficult for me to leave the presidency,'' he said. ''Controversy surrounding myself as an individual, however, cannot be allowed to hinder progress for Florida State University.''

Lick's resignation - effective Aug. 31 - comes one week before a special Board of Regents' committee was expected to determine whether he could continue leading his school effectively, and three days after a private meeting with Chancellor Charles Reed. The Board of Regents is the governing body of the state's nine public universities.

The committee, which included Reed, was charged with evaluating Lick's record and judging whether he still had the support of FSU's faculty, students, alumni and boosters.

Among the FSU faithful, some initially reacted angrily to Lick's attempt to leave for his alma mater, Michigan State. But in recent weeks, it appeared Lick had regained their confidence.

Many FSU constituents called or sent letters to regents expressing support for Lick after the president apologized for his actions and expressed his desire to remain at FSU.

That's why Lick's resignation saddened and surprised many who have been observing the embattled president's efforts to save his job.

''I think it's a tragedy . . . He's a fine leader and a first-rate educator,'' said John Hitt, president of the University of Central Florida. Hitt, who worked for Lick for four years at the University of Maine, said he spoke with Lick two weeks ago.

''He was still entertaining reasonable hope this would have a good ending,'' Hitt said. ''At that time, he was determined to mend fences.''

Sean Pittman, a law student at Florida State and a member of the Board of Regents, said he also found it difficult to accept Lick's resignation.

''I think it's a great loss for FSU,'' said Pittman, who received more than 200 letters or phone calls about Lick - with fewer than 10 calling for his resignation. ''I think the question people need to ask is why did he resign?''

But Reed, the university chancellor, denied that he or members of the Board of Regents pressured Lick into leaving his $165,000-a-year job.

He said Lick arrived at that decision on his own after talking to numerous faculty members, administrators, boosters and regents.

''I think that he felt that he didn't have the kind of support both internally and externally to be the kind of leader that he wanted to be at FSU,'' Reed said.

He said Lick told him Wednesday of his decision to resign.

''He told me, 'Charlie, I don't have the kind of support that you need to lead FSU. I'd like to put FSU first. I'd like to stay here and work out something with you.' '' Lick, 55, will remain at Florida State as a member of the school's faculty.

Lick's resignation leaves one of Florida's flagship universities rudderless at a time when the school was planning to publicize a $200-million fund-raising campaign.

Frank Fite, interim president of the FSU Foundation, the school's fund-raising organization, said conducting such a campaign without a president is a setback. But he added, ''People forget the personalities and the names. We have great alumni, and in the end, they'll support their institution.''

But key leaders of Florida's public university system said they were ''relieved'' Lick had decided to resign and seemed eager to find a new president for FSU.

''He didn't drag this out and he spared the university a lot of pain,'' said Board of Regents Chairman Alec Courtelis. ''Now we can move ahead and we'll start by picking an interim president.

''There's no reason why we can't have a new president on board within four to six months,'' Courtelis said. ''I believe many candidates will come forward - Florida State University is a great university.''

Indeed, it was the lure of leading a big-name institution that caused Lick to stumble.

But many observers say Lick's problems had more to do with how he sought the Michigan job than his desire to get it.

Florida State supporters and regents first learned of Lick's intent when news accounts cited the FSU president as a finalist and leading candidate for the Michigan post. Lick had taken over as president of FSU in August 1991, succeeding Bernie Sliger.

Lick withdrew his candidacy at MSU after a controversy erupted over comments he made about black athletes.

''We've never held back our presidents (from seeking other positions),'' Courtelis said. ''He should have told us.''

Even friends like UCF President Hitt agreed Lick had made a mistake.

''Not because he sought another job, but because he was not forthright enough,'' Hitt said. ''He didn't keep certain people informed and that created a problem . . . There are no secrets in this world.''

Lick seemed to acknowledge his lapse in judgment when asked Thursday about his future: ''I think my sense of prophecy is not very good at the moment, or maybe I wouldn't be standing before you today.''